Cong, SAD mock Khaira’s demand on House session

Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today asked Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira to desist from making statements aimed at deflecting attention from his misdeeds, for which he had been declared an accused by a court.

In a statement here, former minister and party spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said Khaira, instead of coming clean, was acting holier than thou. “Such protestations to project yourself as a champion of debate won’t cut ice,” he said.

The Akali leader asked the Speaker to examine whether Khaira should be allowed entry into the Vidhan Sabha, as this was likely to lower the prestige of the Assembly.

Punjab Congress general secretary and Khadoor Sahib MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikki said Khaira had no moral authority to seek extended House sittings.

“It is ironical that the person whose moral right to sit in the House is questionable and uncertain is seeking extension in its sittings,” Sikki said.

The Congress legislator said Khaira should be thankful to the Speaker for granting him an audience. “Otherwise, a tainted person carrying the stigma of being involved in drug smuggling has no right to enter the sacred precincts of the Vidhan Sabha,” he said.

Sikki said Khaira knew that his days as the Leader of the Opposition were numbered as a revolt was brewing within his party (AAP).